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Elevating IT Infrastructure: The Integration of MDM

Have you ever purchased a security system or saw one? If not, let’s paint a picture. Just imagine that you have purchased a state-of-the-art home security system. It has all the bells and whistles, cameras, motion sensors, smart locks, and whatnot. But now you face the challenge of integrating it with your existing household setup. You need it to work smoothly with your current security protocols, connect effortlessly to your home network, and make sure it doesn’t disrupt your daily routine.

Do you get the idea? Similarly, in the mobile-driven corporate world, simply acquiring a Mobile Device Management (MDM) solution is insufficient. The challenge lies in seamlessly integrating it into your existing IT infrastructure to maintain operational integrity and security.

Integration of MDM
Integrate MDM Solutions Into Your Existing IT Infrastructure
This blog discusses the strategic considerations for seamlessly integrating MDM solutions, which promise streamlined management and better security without causing disruptions.

Challenges of Managing IT Infrastructure Without MDM
When did you last try to juggle multiple responsibilities without a proper system? It could be organizing a family vacation, where you had to book flights, hotels, and activities while managing work deadlines and household chores. The stress and inefficiency can be overwhelming, right?

The same applies to businesses managing hundreds or thousands of mobile devices without a centralized solution.

1. Security and Compliance Risks
Security is a top priority for any industry. Without a centralized MDM solution, ensuring all devices are consistently updated with the latest security patches is like trying to herd cats. Each device has its schedule, and users often delay updates, either out of convenience or simply because of forgetfulness. This lack of uniformity leaves significant gaps in your security.

Inconsistent security updates can lead to major headaches. What if a new malware strain is spreading rapidly? IT teams must manually scramble to update each device without an MDM solution—a slow and error-prone process. In the meantime, the organization remains exposed to potential breaches, risking sensitive data and regulatory non-compliance. It’s like locking some doors in your house while leaving others wide open, hoping intruders won’t find the unlocked ones.

2. Operational Inefficiencies
Operational inefficiencies are another major issue. Manual device management has substantial operational overhead and resource consumption. IT staff spend countless hours on mundane tasks like setting up devices, pushing updates, and troubleshooting issues, which could be better spent on strategic initiatives. This wastes valuable resources and stifles innovation and growth.

3. User Experience and Support
A diverse device environment can be a support nightmare. Different devices and operating systems require specialized knowledge and tools, making it challenging to provide consistent support. Consistent access to corporate resources can be critical without a unified management solution. Some users might have access to their emails and files, while others struggle with intermittent connectivity and permission issues. This inconsistency hampers productivity and can lead to dissatisfaction among employees, as they feel unsupported and hindered in their work.

Strategic Considerations for Integrating MDM into IT Infrastructure
Careful planning and strategic considerations are essential when integrating an MDM solution into your IT infrastructure to ensure a smooth and effective deployment. Here, we look into some key aspects, such as compatibility and deployment models, providing insights to help you navigate the integration process.

1. Compatibility
Before implementing an MDM solution, verifying its compatibility with your current IT infrastructure is important. This includes assessing compatibility with servers, network configurations, and security protocols. This compatibility check helps:

Avoid Potential Conflicts: Ensuring the MDM solution works seamlessly with existing components and prevents disruptions during and after integration.
Facilitate Smooth Integration: Compatibility ensures the MDM software can be deployed efficiently, reducing the risk of integration issues that could lead to downtime or compromised security.
Maintain Security Standards: Verifying compatibility ensures the MDM solution aligns with your existing security measures, maintaining the integrity of your overall security posture.
2. Deployment Models
Selecting the appropriate deployment model for your MDM solution is vital. The choice will depend on your industry’s specific needs, resources, and strategic goals. Here are the three primary deployment models:

a) Cloud-based
Benefits

Quick Deployment: Cloud-based MDM solutions can be deployed rapidly, allowing for faster implementation.
Scalability: Cloud solutions offer the flexibility to scale up or down based on business needs, accommodating growth or changes in device management requirements.
Reduces Upfront Costs: Cloud models typically involve lower initial investments, as there is no need for extensive hardware purchases or infrastructure upgrades.
Challenges

Data Privacy Concerns: Storing data in the cloud raises potential privacy issues, especially for businesses dealing with sensitive information.
Dependency on Internet Connectivity: Cloud solutions rely on stable Internet connections, and any disruption in server connectivity can affect access and functionality.
Best Practices

Conduct Thorough Risk Assessments: Evaluate potential risks associated with data storage and access to the cloud.
Ensure Compliance with Data Protection Regulations: Verify that the cloud provider complies with relevant data protection laws and standards.
Establish Clear SLAs with the Cloud Provider: Define service level agreements that outline performance expectations, support, and security measures.
b) On-Premise
Security Considerations

Greater Control Over Data: On-premise solutions provide direct control over data storage and security measures, which is critical for businesses with stringent data protection requirements.
Customizable Security Measures: Businesses can customize security protocols and configurations to meet their specific needs.
Resource Requirements

Significant Investment: Implementing an on-premise solution requires substantial hardware, software, and ongoing maintenance investment.
Dedicated Resources: Ensure sufficient resources are allocated to manage and support the on-premise MDM infrastructure.
Best Practices

Regularly Update and Patch the MDM Software: Keep the MDM software updated to protect against vulnerabilities and ensure optimal performance.
Maintain Backup and Disaster Recovery Plans: Implement comprehensive backup and recovery strategies to safeguard data and ensure business continuity.
Allocate Dedicated Resources for Management and Support: Ensure skilled personnel can manage and support the MDM infrastructure.
c) Virtual Private Cloud (VPC)
Flexibility and Control
Combines Cloud and On-Premise Benefits: VPCs offer the scalability and flexibility of cloud solutions while providing control similar to on-premise deployments.
Customizable Environment: Businesses can configure the VPC to meet specific needs and security requirements.
Benefits of Integrating MDM into IT Infrastructure
Integrating MDM into your IT infrastructure offers numerous advantages that enhance security, efficiency, and user experience. Here are the key benefits:

1. Streamlined Device Enrollment and Configuration
MDM solutions simplify enrolling and configuring new devices, ensuring they meet corporate standards from the start. This reduces the time and effort required to set up devices and ensures consistency across the industry.

2. Strengthened Security
MDM provides centralized control over security policies, ensuring consistent updates and reducing vulnerabilities across all devices. Features like remote-wipe and encryption further safeguard corporate data, protecting against breaches and unauthorized access.

3. Increased Productivity
By consolidating management tasks into a single platform, MDM software reduces the complexity and overhead of device management. Automated processes streamline operations and free up IT resources, allowing them to focus on strategic initiatives that drive business growth.

4. Improved Regulatory Compliance
MDM solutions help businesses comply with industry regulations by enforcing security policies and maintaining audit trails. This ensures all devices adhere to compliance standards, reducing the risk of fines and legal issues.

5. Cost Savings
MDM solutions can lead to significant cost savings by automating device management and reducing the need for manual interventions. They also minimize the resources required for IT support and reduce downtime.

Seamlessly Integrate your Existing IT Infrastructure with Scalefusion
Scalefusion offers flexible deployment options to fit your business needs, whether you prefer cloud, on-premise, or VPC solutions. This versatility ensures you can seamlessly integrate Scalefusion’s MDM capabilities into your existing IT infrastructure without disrupting your current operations.

 

About Scalefusion
Scalefusion’s company DNA is built on the foundation of providing world-class customer service and making endpoint management simple and effortless for businesses globally. We prioritize the needs and feedback of our customers, making sure that they are at the forefront of all decision-making processes. We are dedicated to providing comprehensive customer support services, and place emphasis on customer-centric thinking throughout the organization.

About Version 2 Digital

Version 2 Digital is one of the most dynamic IT companies in Asia. The company distributes a wide range of IT products across various areas including cyber security, cloud, data protection, end points, infrastructures, system monitoring, storage, networking, business productivity and communication products.

Through an extensive network of channels, point of sales, resellers, and partnership companies, Version 2 offers quality products and services which are highly acclaimed in the market. Its customers cover a wide spectrum which include Global 1000 enterprises, regional listed companies, different vertical industries, public utilities, Government, a vast number of successful SMEs, and consumers in various Asian cities.

Games, apps, websites… anything can be abused. How to protect your family from mobile threats

ESET levels up its Mobile Security app to be even more effective against phishing.

Smartphones have become an integral part of our social lives. From children to teens and on to adults and the elderly, globally, the average user now spends almost four hours daily staring at their mobile phone. There’s really no point in naming all the things people can use their mobile phones for. From social interaction to shopping, gaming, and so on… you know what they are capable of.

These capabilities, however, come at a price. The variety of things people can do on their mobile phones creates one huge, messy cyberthreat landscape with criminals trying to steal victims’ money, data, and identities, sometimes demanding a ransom for their return.

This blog will show you some real-life examples described by ESET researchers of what such threats look like. As you will see, some of them are no longer simple scams that can be easily spotted, but are instead sophisticated, multi-staged and AI-driven attacks that require much stronger defenses than a watchful eye and simple antivirus.

The long list of ESET research pieces on this topic demonstrates how carefully ESET studies these threats. And ESET experts are not just watching. More than ten years ago, ESET created award-winning multilayered protection against a multitude of Android security issues called ESET Mobile Security, which has been protecting millions of people around the globe. Now ESET is coming forward with improved Phishing Protection, extending threat coverage even more.

TRY ESET MOBILE SECURITY NOW!

Anyone can be a target

There are 4.8 billion smartphone users, which is more than half of the current global population of 8.2 billion people. Statista estimates the smartphone user base to reach 6.4 billion by 2029.

According to a 2024 survey conducted by the data management firm Harmony Healthcare IT, phone screen time increases with every generation. While U.S. baby boomers (people born from 1946 to 1964) spend 3.5 hours per day with phones in their hands, millennials’ use of phones is one hour longer, and Generation Z spends an average of 6 hours and 5 minutes on their phone daily.

And just as smartphone usage is rising, so is the total volume of detected Android malware, increasing from 1.7 million in July 2014 to 35.2 million as of July 2024, according to the AV-TEST Institute’s data.

While the usage of mobile phones grows, so does the increase in user susceptibility to phishing attacks. Global data gathered in 2022 shows that encounters of personal mobiles with phishing rose from 35.46% in 2020 to 53% in 2022, and the percentage of mobile users who tapped on six or more phishing links almost doubled from 14.3% to 27.6% within this time period.

Threats are out there

Let’s see several of the latest examples of mobile threats, some covered by the latest ESET Threat Report (H1 2024).

ESET experts complemented the research conducted by Group-IB’s Threat Intelligence unit, describing the GoldPickaxe malware family available for both iOS and Android, targeting victims in the Asia-Pacific region.

This malware can steal a victim’s sensitive personal information from financial apps such as Digital Pension for Thailand despite a requirement that users record a brief video of their face from various angles using the front camera of their mobile device as a form of secure authentication.

To achieve that, threat actors steal victims’ biometric data and utilize AI-driven face-swapping services to create deepfakes.

Another example shows that scammers don’t hesitate to even target children. According to the latest Threat Report, ESET telemetry detected phishing scams abusing Roblox, a sandbox gaming platform very popular with kids and available on multiple operating systems (including Apple and Android). Roblox contains virtual currency named Robux that can be purchased with real money, which makes it attractive for cybercriminals. The Roblox community has created a long list of Roblox threats here.

Also, using ESET detection engines in combination with other sources, ESET researchers recently discovered espionage campaigns spreading fake apps or trojanized and reverse-engineered legitimate apps to Android users in Egypt and Palestine. Threat actors used dedicated phishing websites to distribute malicious apps impersonating legitimate chat apps, a job opportunity app, and a civil registry app.

Another recent malicious campaign uncovered by ESET researchers and run in the Czech Republic targeted clients at three Czech banks to facilitate unauthorized ATM withdrawals from the victims’ bank accounts.

At first, cyber criminals deceived victims into believing that they are communicating with their bank, and then tricked them into downloading and installing a fake banking app with the unique malware that ESET named NGate. The malware then clones near field communications data (NFC) from victims’ payment cards using NGate and sends this data to an attacker’s device that is then able to imitate the original card and withdraw money from an ATM.

Just this handful of recent examples shows how large of a portfolio of tools cybercriminals have at their disposal. Notice the variety of their targets – children playing games or adults seeking a job, wanting to chat, or doing financial operations.

ESET Mobile Security

To deal with these scenarios, both individual users and households need a reliable security solution capable of stopping threats, ideally before they execute and cause any harm.

ESET Mobile Security provides award-winning protection against a multitude of Android security issues such as viruses, ransomware, adware, and other malware, or unwanted permissions given to applications. It also offers multilayered protection against phishing, smishing, and scams.

Here is a brief list of some features:

Antivirus – Protects against malicious app installs and from malicious apps downloaded from app stores. With permission, Antivirus can also check all files on the mobile device.

Anti-Phishing – Protects against malicious websites attempting to acquire users’ sensitive information on the most used browsers and social networks including Facebook, Facebook lite, Instagram, and Facebook Messenger. SMS notifications are also covered. It also protects from accessing phishing or fraudulent sites that can be used, for example, to distribute malicious apps.

Link Scanner – This year, ESET introduced Link Scanner, which allows ESET Mobile Security to check every link a user tries to open, not only those coming from supported websites and social network apps. For instance, if a user receives a phishing link in a game app and opens it, the link is first redirected to the ESET Mobile Security app, where it is checked before being redirected to the browser.

Remember the Roblox attacks? Some of them start exactly with phishing links received via in-game messages or found in fake profiles used by scammers.

Adware Detector – Sometimes a user cannot identify which app is causing annoying unwanted pop-ups. The ESET Adware Detector functionality tracks all apps that are shown on the screen so the user can easily identify the app that should not be running and delete it.

Payment Protection – This is a safe launcher for financial apps, ensuring that other apps on your device will not be able to recognize the launch of a sensitive app, nor allow other apps to replace or read the screens of the financial app in question. This makes use of finance or other sensitive apps safer.

Anti-Theft – The ESET Anti-Theft feature protects your mobile device from unauthorized access, enables you to monitor foreign activity, and tracks your device’s location. You can also display a message to the finder if your device is lost.

What about iOS?

There may be some iOS users who still hold on to the myth that their devices are secure simply because of the way these operating systems are built – applications on iPhone or iPad devices run in their own separate virtual spaces and can communicate with each other to a very limited extent. This environment also prevents external antivirus apps for iOS from working properly.

However, there are notable cyber incidents, proving that iOS is not impenetrable. Therefore, iOS users should enhance the security of their devices with additional layers such as VPN , Identity Protection*, and Password Manager.

All of these are available for both iOS and Android users via ESET HOME Security, the recently upgraded all-in-one solution created for consumers who want to protect their household against all kinds of cyberthreats.

Be prepared for anything

Packed with tons of features and capabilities, mobile devices should make our lives easier, and not trigger headaches due to cyberthreats. That is why multi-layered protection focusing on prevention is needed.

Being a security leader with more than three decades of experience, ESET protects smartphone users of all generations whether they are browsing the internet, chatting, shopping, playing games, or executing financial operations.

* ESET Identity Protection is available only in selected countries.  

About ESET
For 30 years, ESET® has been developing industry-leading IT security software and services for businesses and consumers worldwide. With solutions ranging from endpoint security to encryption and two-factor authentication, ESET’s high-performing, easy-to-use products give individuals and businesses the peace of mind to enjoy the full potential of their technology. ESET unobtrusively protects and monitors 24/7, updating defenses in real time to keep users safe and businesses running without interruption. Evolving threats require an evolving IT security company. Backed by R&D facilities worldwide, ESET became the first IT security company to earn 100 Virus Bulletin VB100 awards, identifying every single “in-the-wild” malware without interruption since 2003.

About Version 2 Digital

Version 2 Digital is one of the most dynamic IT companies in Asia. The company distributes a wide range of IT products across various areas including cyber security, cloud, data protection, end points, infrastructures, system monitoring, storage, networking, business productivity and communication products.

Through an extensive network of channels, point of sales, resellers, and partnership companies, Version 2 offers quality products and services which are highly acclaimed in the market. Its customers cover a wide spectrum which include Global 1000 enterprises, regional listed companies, different vertical industries, public utilities, Government, a vast number of successful SMEs, and consumers in various Asian cities.

Introducing the new Parallels Desktop Management Portal

For as long as the Parallels Desktop ecosystem has been around, the goal has always been to provide seamless virtualization solutions for Mac users. 

With the launch of the Parallels Desktop Enterprise Edition, the Parallels team is taking that experience to a new level.

One aspect I’m particularly excited about is the new Management Portal available in the Enterprise Edition.

This portal is designed to streamline virtual machine (VM) management, deployment, and monitoring for IT administrators.

Are you curious about what this new portal offers and how it can simplify your workflow? Let’s dive right in!

Try Parallels Desktop Enterprise Edition now!

What is the Management Portal?

The Parallels Desktop Management Portal is a cloud-based service built to make life easier for IT teams managing large-scale deployments of Parallels Desktop within their organizations.

It’s tailored for customers who have the need to manage 30 or more Parallels Desktop licenses, and need a more advanced, centralized way to handle their entire virtualization environment.

With just a few clicks, this new portal lets administrators deploy VMs efficiently, control Parallels Desktop installations, monitor what users are up to, and set policies that apply across the board.

The Enterprise Edition also adds flexibility with hybrid licensing, letting you choose between per-user and per-device licensing to suit your needs.

Key features of the Management Portal

1. Centralized VM deployment with golden Images

Golden images let IT administrators create pre-configured VM images that can be deployed to end users in a matter of minutes. This feature eliminates the need for configuring machines individually, speeding up deployment time and ensuring every machine is set up the exact same way. Administrators can also pre-install the needed applications and settings inside the VM to provision to their users.

PDE golden images screenshot

2. Advanced policy control

The Management Portal gives administrators complete control over how Parallels Desktop is used. Administrators can enforce policies like restricting users to corporate VMs, preventing VM deletion, or limiting access to a single VM. These settings provide a granular level of control, ensuring that users stick to the organizational guidelines. Policies can also be enforced based on user groups which allows admins to create a separate and unique policy for each group.

PD advanced policy control screenshot

3. Real-time monitoring and reporting

Monitoring VMs and their usage has never been easier. The portal gives you real-time insights into user activity, helping you stay on top of compliance and manage resources more efficiently. This feature is especially helpful when overseeing large teams and making sure policies are followed.

PDE monitoring and reporting

4. Hybrid licensing for maximum flexibility

A standout feature of the new Parallels Desktop Enterprise edition is its hybrid licensing model, which supports both per-user and per-device activation. This flexibility is ideal for organizations that need to accommodate various user types and licensing preferences.

PDE hybrid licensing

Benefits of the Management Portal for large organizations

Streamlined management

Managing individual licenses and VMs can be time-consuming and prone to errors. The Management Portal eliminates these issues by centralizing control, allowing admins to deploy, monitor, and manage everything from a single dashboard.

Improved efficiency

With golden images and setting up policies within the portal, admins can roll out new VMs in minutes rather than hours. This speed is crucial in environments where new users or machines need to be onboarded quickly without sacrificing compliance or security.

Scalability matching your growth

Whether your organization has 30 or 300 employees, the Management Portal grows with you. Thanks to its hybrid licensing model and centralized controls, handling even the most significant deployments remains smooth and hassle-free.

What’s next for the Parallels Desktop Enterprise Edition?

The initial release of the Management Portal is already packed with powerful features, but there is so much more to come.

Later this year, support for SSO activation will be added, allowing for seamless integration with your existing identity provider. The Parallels team is also working on support for multiple golden images and improved group management, making the portal even more versatile for large, complex environments.

Ready to explore the new Management Portal?

The new Management Portal is now available for Parallels Desktop Enterprise Edition customers.

If you’re an existing Parallels Desktop Business customer and would like to explore these new features, upgrading to the Enterprise Edition is simple. Simply visit the Parallels Desktop Enterprise Edition page to learn more or fill out the form to start a trial. Once submitted, a representative will reach out to assist you with any questions or guide you through the process of discovering how the Management Portal can transform the way you manage VMs in your organization.

For more details, including a full admin guide and setup instructions, visit the Parallels Desktop Enterprise Edition Admin Guide.

About Parallels 
Parallels® is a global leader in cross-platform solutions, enabling businesses and individuals to access and use the applications and files they need on any device or operating system. Parallels helps customers leverage the best technology available, whether it’s Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS, Android or the cloud.

About Version 2 Digital

Version 2 Digital is one of the most dynamic IT companies in Asia. The company distributes a wide range of IT products across various areas including cyber security, cloud, data protection, end points, infrastructures, system monitoring, storage, networking, business productivity and communication products.

Through an extensive network of channels, point of sales, resellers, and partnership companies, Version 2 offers quality products and services which are highly acclaimed in the market. Its customers cover a wide spectrum which include Global 1000 enterprises, regional listed companies, different vertical industries, public utilities, Government, a vast number of successful SMEs, and consumers in various Asian cities.

Perforce’s Helix Core Now ISO 26262 Certified for Functional Safety in Automotive Development

Perforce matches functional safety with the software and design driven world of automotive today.

MINNEAPOLIS, OCTOBER 29, 2024 — Perforce Software, a global provider of enterprise DevOps solutions, today announced its version control platform Helix Core has achieved ISO 26262 Functional Safety Process Certification by internationally-accredited certification body TÜV SÜD. With this certification, Perforce ensures its platform meets the strict safety and reliability standards required for developing automotive systems and reinforces its commitment to supporting innovation within the automotive industry. Perforce Helix Core is the version control platform trusted by leading automotive OEMs and suppliers – as well as the world’s largest semiconductor firms, embedded systems developers, and top gaming and media studios – for limitless scalability, fine-grained security, and rapid file access from anywhere in the world. ISO 26262 is an international functional safety standard for the development of electrical and electronic systems, including hardware and software components, for road vehicles. By certifying its version control platform is ISO 26262 compliant, Perforce now makes this critical solution available to all organizations that need to prove compliance with the highest safety, quality, and reliability standards. “With the transition to software-defined vehicles and the rise of autonomy, automotive OEMs and suppliers are revolutionizing their development pipeline with modern tools that accelerate innovation, yet safety remains paramount,” said Brad Hart, CTO and VP of Product Management at Perforce. “Helix Core offers a modern alternative to legacy tools that can no longer meet the demands of today’s fast-paced software- and design-driven automotive development. For large, cross-functional, globally distributed teams, Helix Core is the only version control solution that can deliver the speed, scale, and security necessary to manage all digital assets, including binary code and large game engine/3D files.” Perforce’s 2024 State of Game Technology survey found that 50% of respondents are now using game engines outside of traditional game development, such as in the creation of digital twins of vehicles. These digital twins can enhance vehicle safety in many ways, from virtual crash tests to using simulated driving scenarios to more efficiently train Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). With Helix Core serving as an essential foundation to effectively leverage this technology, achieving the ISO 26262 Functional Safety Process Certification allows Perforce to offer a platform that drives innovation while ensuring the highest level of automotive safety.

About Perforce
The best run DevOps teams in the world choose Perforce. Perforce products are purpose-built to develop, build and maintain high-stakes applications. Companies can finally manage complexity, achieve speed without compromise, improve security and compliance, and run their DevOps toolchains with full integrity. With a global footprint spanning more than 80 countries and including over 75% of the Fortune 100, Perforce is trusted by the world’s leading brands to deliver solutions to even the toughest challenges. Accelerate technology delivery, with no shortcuts.

About Version 2 Digital

Version 2 Digital is one of the most dynamic IT companies in Asia. The company distributes a wide range of IT products across various areas including cyber security, cloud, data protection, end points, infrastructures, system monitoring, storage, networking, business productivity and communication products.

Through an extensive network of channels, point of sales, resellers, and partnership companies, Version 2 offers quality products and services which are highly acclaimed in the market. Its customers cover a wide spectrum which include Global 1000 enterprises, regional listed companies, different vertical industries, public utilities, Government, a vast number of successful SMEs, and consumers in various Asian cities.

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